Well, this is a longer one. Not the longest but close. Re-edited February 2021.
In the following week Kaiya made preparations to get them ready to leave for Kyoto. As it was, little Hana's family was going to see some relatives there but were feeling very uneasy traveling by themselves without any protection. They had a small wagon which they had planned on loading up with some of their harvest to give to their relatives and when Kaiya offered Souji's services as a Samurai to protect them and even pay them a fee for letting them tag along, they were more than willing. Saitou could swing his sword if he really needed too, but Kaiya feared it would be detrimental to his recovery and therefore didn't offer his protection.
She also bought enough food to last them for the week, for all three of them, and pre-made as much as possible. Their meals wouldn't be anything extravagant, mostly onigiri and smoked fish, which was both the easiest to make and to store. She also made an excess of herbal remedies and spread them out to the various local shops so that the village might be stocked for a time. Most of the villagers begged her not to go, which made her feel really bad. So, to lighten the blow of her departure, she taught several of the women from the village her most used remedies, so that they might continue to help each other.
On the day that they were to leave, Kaiya collected as many of her father's books and medical instruments as she dared bring with her and climbed into the back of the wagon with Souji and Saitou. Just as they were about to leave, Haru came running down the road waving his arms like a mad man.
From behind her Souji mumbled "Geez! What does he want now?"
When he came to the side of the cart he looked sadly into her eyes, "Kaiya-chan, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. I know I acted like a jealous idiot, but I could feel I was losing you," His eyes drifted to Saitou on her left "but you deserve happiness and if this makes you happy then I won't stand in your way. Just know that you'll always be in my heart."
"This is what I want Haru. Without looking for one, I managed to find a family among the Shinsengumi. I know that sounds strange especially coming from a woman, but it's the truth. I really regret hurting you Haru, I'm sorry." Kaiya tried to sound as sincere as possible.
Haru just nodded his head and stepped back, then indicated for Hana's dad to leave. Haru watched as they disappeared over the horizon, and it broke Kaiya's heart.
Souji sat there studying her face then finally asked. "Do you want to go back?"
Kaiya shook her head vigorously. "No. This is what I want, I just hate hurting people."
Souji wrapped one arm around her shoulder. "Well, I guess that's why you're such a great doctor. I got to give it to the guy, he totally see's it."
Kaiya gave him a confused look. "See's what?"
Souji chuckled and shook his head. "You're a smart woman, you'll figure it out on your own."
Kaiya turned so she could look at him more squarely. "Figure what out?" Souji just laughed and shook his head that sat back and rested his head on the frame of the wagon.
Just after lunch, it began to pour. There was a canvas draped over the wagon and everyone, but Hana's father huddled underneath it to try and stay dry. After getting over her fear of Saitou and Souji, Hana started talking none stop to Kaiya. Going on and on about her friends and her chickens and her pigs and so on. Souji faded in and out of sleep brought on by sheer boredom but Saitou was wide awake as the wagon jarred his injuries and by the end of the day was as white as a sheet and covered in sweat.
He didn't utter a single complaint during the whole day, but Kaiya did her best to get him comfortable. When he tried to climb off the wagon, he nearly fell to the ground and had to be assisted by Souji. Souji helped him sit down and lean up against a tree, so that he had some support. Souji helped collect wood with Hana's father and Hana and Akari started a fire to cook over, while Kaiya looked at Saitou's injuries. He hadn't ripped any stitches open luckily but the cut was looking unnaturally red.
Kaiya cleaned the wound, applied the ointment then bandaged him up. Once she finished bandaging him up, she gave him some onigiri and fish, but she could tell he had to force it down with the pain taking his appetite away. She then gave him a tea that both had a pain killer in it and a sedative so he might sleep. Once Saitou was fast asleep, Kaiya joined the others with their meal.
"Kai, maybe you should do the guy the favour of doping him up for the rest of the trip. I mean he looks awful!" Souji was leaning back against a tree with his swords laid across his lap.
"After today, that might be a good idea, but you know Saitou-kun, he'll want to tough it out." Kaiya grabbed an onigiri and started munching on it. Across the fire, Hana was fast asleep on the ground between her parents.
"He might change his tune after a couple days." Said Souji. Kaiya cocked an eyebrow at him. "Okay, so he won't. Then you just have to make his mind up for him. He trusts you; he might listen…or I can just knock him over the head." Souji gave her a cheeky smile.
"Saitou-kun has enough problems, I don't think giving him a head injury will help anything, but I'll see what I can do." Kaiya rolled her eyes as she tried to suppress a smile.
"Kaiya-sensei. Is this rain going a problem for Saitou-san? He really didn't look so well." Akari asked as she gently stroked Hana's head while she slept.
"If it continues, it may. Moisture helps breed infections; I'm going to have to be on top of keeping his injury clean."
And it did continue. They had a reprieve the first night but after that it rained day and night, and everyone was wet, cold and miserable. Though the rain made them miserable, in some way it was a blessing in disguise. Even criminals don't like standing outside in the cold rain unless absolutely necessary. Unfortunately, though, by the fourth day a serious infection had set in to Saitou's injury. Kaiya had begun dressing Saitou's injuries with large leaves in attempt to try and keep it dry.
Saitou's health wasn't the only one that had been compromised. Souji's cough had come back with vengeance. Kaiya had managed to nearly to stop his fits entirely while they had stayed in her village but with being constantly wet and the humidity making it harder for him to breath, Souji was coughing worse than ever. It was no longer just in the morning but throughout the day, only applying the ointment to his back and chest seemed to stop a fit.
Kaiya didn't have to force Saitou to take the tea past the second day as a fever had already began by the time they had stopped for the night. By the following morning he couldn't get to his feet on his own and the morning after, Saitou wasn't waking up. Kaiya began sleeping right beside Saitou, so she might keep a closer eye on him.
Kaiya nearly cried with relief when Kyoto came into view. Saitou's forehead was scalding hot and she was barely keeping his infection under control. It was the middle of the day when they rolled into town, but the streets were largely empty due to the rain. Souji instructed Haru's father how to get to the Shinsengumi's new headquarters, which had since moved from when Kaiya had last stayed with them.
When the compound finally came into view, a thought dawned on Kaiya that probably should have dawned on her before they had even left her village.
"Souji, do they even know I'm coming?"
"Kondou-san and I think Hijikata-san should. I told them that you should probably talk to them privately first before the rest of the captains know you're here. I didn't give them the specifics of why you left, but I did say that they'd understand once they heard your story." Souji said almost matter of factly.
Kaiya wringed her hands suddenly doubting their mercy. Kondou and Hijikata were intentionally strict and said that they'd make no exceptions for anyone.
"Are you sure they'll show mercy, Souji? They made it clear that the rules were unbendable."
Souji took her chin gently and stared her straight in the eye. "I'm certain Kai. Those rules were meant for men and were never meant for your situation. There is nothing in the Shinsengumi rules that dictate how to react to what happened to you. If I'm wrong, then I will defend your life with my own."
Kaiya shook her head vigorously. "No! You will not, I made the mistake, and I will be the one to pay. You will not sacrifice your life for mine, I would never forgive you."
Souji chuckled a little but it turned into a cough. When it settled, he finally said. "Kai you should have been born a man. You certainly have the courage of one, you would've made a great samurai."
"Thank you, I guess." Kaiya said with a bit of a smile as she patted him on the knee.
By this time, they had come to the gate that entered into the Shinsengumi compound.
"Halt, state your business!" Came the demand from the guard. Souji stuck his head out of the wagon so the guards could see him.
"Oi, let us through. We need to cart Hajime-kun in. He's in really bad shape!"
The guards bowed deeply and stepped aside, "Yes sir, Okita-san. Should we alert Yamazaki-san?"
Souji glanced over his shoulder at Kaiya, then turned back. "No, I'll take care of it." Souji told Hana's father to go forward and told him where to drive.
The wagon rolled as close to the captains sleep quarters as possible, then Souji ordered her to remain in the cart for a moment while he dragged Saitou back to his room with the help of Hana's father. Kaiya protested considerably, but Souji insisted it was for the best for now. While Kaiya waited anxiously for Souji to return, she peered out at the unfamiliar compound. It was probably for the better that it was an entirely new place, it would have no lingering memories of Serizawa.
"Kaiya-sensei, is this place really going to be your new home?" Asked Hana as she looked outside from beside Kaiya.
Kaiya smiled at Hana. "Yes, it is."
"It's so big, aren't you going to lost here?" She looked so sincere that Kaiya couldn't help but laugh.
"Well, there are many people who live here and if I get lost, they'll help me find my way."
When Souji returned, he quickly unloaded her things so that Hana's family could go meet their family, then helped Kaiya out of the wagon and led her off to where Kondou's quarters were situated. Finally, Souji stopped at a door, then turned and put his hands on her shoulders.
"It'll be ok, Kai." He said softly. "I wouldn't be the only one upset if they ordered you to Seppuku, especially after everything you went through."
Kaiya took a deep breath and nodded. Fear had settled in her stomach and was making her feel unwell, but she had to do this. Souji turned to the door and knocked. They heard Kondou asking them to enter and Souji slid the door open. Inside Kondou, Hijikata and Sannan sat around a table playing a game of daifugo.
They all looked up to see who had entered and all three of them smiled when Souji entered, looking a bit like a drowned rat. When Kaiya entered, they continued to smile but she could see the solemnness in their eyes. They all put their cards down and indicated them to sit down.
Hijikata looked over his shoulder and hollered. "Chizuru-chan!"
As Souji and Kaiya took a seat on the ground, a young woman dress in men's clothing entered the room. "Oh, Okita-san! You have returned home! Welcome! Where's Saitou-san?"
"Never mind Chizuru-chan, bring these two some hot tea. They're soaked."
Chizuru bowed. "Yes, right away."
When Chizuru left, Kondou frowned and looked at Kaiya. "Where is Saitou-kun? Souji said, in his last letter, that he was on his feet and well on his way."
"This journey was very difficult on him. We should have waited longer…with the rain and humidity, his wound has become infected and is now running an extremely high fever. It's my fault, I should have known this would happen." Kaiya looked morosely at the ground.
"Kai don't be so damn hard on yourself! Hajime-kun was up and moving around, his injuries hardly seemed to be bothering him anymore. You couldn't have known the weather would be so uncooperative, it was clear and warm when we left." Souji crossed his arms and gave her an agitated look.
Chizuru entered the room with two cups of tea and handed them to Souji and Kaiya, then put a kettle down between them in case they wanted seconds. This time Kondou addressed Chizuru.
"Chizuru-chan, please make sure no one interrupts us until I give the okay. That includes you."
"And no eavesdropping!" Put in Hijikata put in with a scowl.
Chizuru gave a bit of a sheepish look, then turned and left. Hijikata huffed and shook his head. Then he too looked at Kaiya, but his eyes softened.
"Kaiya-chan you look terrified! What have we done to scare you so?"
Kaiya bowed her head. "You nor Kondou-san or Sannan-san, have done nothing. But you made it clear that I was an official member of the Roshigumi, and I…deserted. You've made it clear that the punishment is severe for deserters."
They all remained silent for quite some time when she finally looked up, she found the three of them studying her intently and Souji staring at them with pleading eyes. It was Kondou who broke the silence.
"Souji-kun wrote that there was a very good reason for your departure, and that if anything, it was our fault that you left. Could you explain what he's talking about?"
Kaiya looked at Souji, but he continued to stare steadily at Kondou, sipping his tea.
Kaiya looked back. "I wouldn't say it's your fault but…" Kaiya went off into her tale, recounting that fateful nights events. As she told them, they had the same response to it as Souji and Saitou. At first angry at her being exploited and no one being there to save her and then annoyed that they had been so close to helping her but not seeing her. Kondou was the most irritated though. He slammed his fist on the table and put his other hand on his face.
"I was in the teahouse still, Kaiya-chan! You should have come to me!" Kondou, always the soft one, and was the one who came forward and wrapped her in a tight hug. When he finally released her, Kaiya shook her head.
"I was too ashamed of what had happened by then. Even if I knew you were still in there, I still wouldn't have been able to face you." Kondou looked worriedly into her eyes but she couldn't meet them.
"Souji-kun's right, this is our fault. We were supposed to protect you, but we didn't." Kaiya couldn't see Hijikata with Kondou's large form directly in front of her, but she could hear his frustration.
Kondou returned to his spot beside Hijikata, then looked at him then Sannan. "I believe we are in an agreement that Kaiya-chan did nothing wrong and therefore there is nothing to punish her for?" They both nodded their agreement "Then, as we are no longer the Roshigumi, you can leave if you like and fear no retribution from us or we would happily let you resume your responsibilities."
Finally, Souji spoke up, "Yah about that. I kinda told her about the Furies."
"Souji!" Kondou scolded, "It was you whom didn't want her involved in that!"
Souji gave one of his infamous shrugs. "She was coming back the moment she saw Hajime-kun and I. She's way too smart to keep a secret like that from her. It's amazing she never found out while she was still here."
"I still want nothing to do with this…experiment. I don't agree with what you're doing but I'm willing to pretend like it's not happening." Kaiya said firmly.
Hijikata nodded. "Understood Kaiya-chan. We won't bother you further with it then."
Sannan frowned. "Wait a second, Hijikata-kun. Kaiya-chan has the most knowledge here, in regard to the body and has displayed exceptional skill with blending herbs. Isn't it reasonable ask her assistance?"
"She made it clear that she wants nothing to do with it and after everything she's been subjected to because of us, I think she has the right to say no." Hijikata said firmly.
"Kondou-san?" Sannan looked to Kondou hopefully.
Kondou studied her for a moment then shook his head. "Kaiya-chan isn't needed. She is needed to look after Saitou-kun and our other injured, I'm sure that will be more than enough to keep her busy. Kaiya-chan, for now I want you focusing on getting Saitou-kun better. We would like Yamazaki-kun to know immediately that you have returned, so if he needs your assistance you can give it. Now if you please, I think we have a few things to discuss with Souji in private."
Kaiya bowed, got up and left the room. Kaiya walked back to Saitou's room trying her best to stay under the overhang so she might stay as dry as possible. She entered his room without knocking knowing full well he couldn't respond. The first thing she did was to completely remove his clothing as they were very wet and found a second blanket to try and get him as warm as possible.
She quickly cleaned his wounds and applied his ointment, then covered the wounds, before tucking him tightly into bed. Kaiya left momentarily to retrieve her things from where Souji had left them and brought them into Saitou's room, so they had a chance to dry as well. There was several things Kaiya wanted to do at once but only a few she could do right now and that was make some herbal tea for Saitou and find something dry to wear but she didn't know where to find either.
She finally decided to just take a crack at it, kitchens where generally in the same place although this place was even bigger than the last. Kaiya stepped into the hall and almost immediately ran into Nagakura…literally. He was shocked to have someone bump into him and seemed struck dumb when he saw whom he had run into. He even poked her in the forehead just make sure she was real.
Then all at once, "Kaiya-chan? Kaiya-chan!" He wrapped her in a tight bone crushing hug.
"Can't…breath…Naga…kura…kun…" Kaiya managed to wheeze out.
"Eh? Oh sorry." He finally let go and Kaiya bent over as she tried to catch her breath. "Kaiya-chan, where have you been? …you're soaking wet."
Kaiya finally collected herself and stood up. "I just got here. I accompanied Souji and Saitou-kun…"
"Oh? Where are they?" Nagakura looked around him like he expected them to suddenly show up.
"Souji's talking with Kondou-san, Hijikata-kun and Sannan-san. Saitou-kun took a turn for the worse on the journey here and is resting in his room." Nagakura started for the door but Kaiya stopped. "No one is allowed to visit him right now; he needs a proper rest. Could you help me, Nagakura-kun? I'm looking for the kitchen and if possible, some dry clothes."
"Stop it with that Nagakura crap. It's Shinpachi to you" he said with a wink "And I can help you with the direction of the kitchen but not the cloths. Although Chizuru-chan might be able to and she's likely to be in the kitchen at this time of day."
"Aren't you supposed to be pretending she's a man, Shinpachi-kun?"
Shinpachi grinned "Oh yah right, him. This way." Shinpachi lead her down several halls and finally came to a door and opened it and disappeared beyond. As she entered through the door after him, Shinpachi said, "You'll never guess who's here!"
Kaiya couldn't see who he was talking to, immediately, because Shinpachi's broad back blocked her view. Then when he stepped aside, she saw both Heisuke and Chizuru standing over a bubbling pot of something good smelling.
"Kaiya-chan!"
Heisuke practically shouted as he dropped his utensils and ran towards her but stopped short of hugging her and gave her a questioning look. She chuckled and nodded, which was all he needed to wrap her up in a tight hug. After a moment he stepped back and looked down at his clothes.
"Kaiya-chan, you're soaked!"
Kaiya laughed but it was Shinpachi who answered. "That's half the reason why I led her here. I figured Chizuru-chan might have a change of clothes for her until hers dry. She'll catch a cold drenched like that. She also wanted to find the kitchen; I imagine for something for Saitou since you came from his room?"
"Yes. I was going to make some herbal tea for him. He got as wet as me on top of the serious infection and fever. He needs warming and since he's unconscious, he can't move around to warm himself."
Heisuke looked shocked. "I thought he was getting better!"
"He was until we left my village." Kaiya frowned as she answered.
Shinpachi looked down at her with a confused look. "Your village?"
Kaiya smiled, "I'm sure Souji or I can tell you all about it later. But we're all being rude, excluding Chizuru-chan from our conversation. I can call you that can't I?"
"Yes you may. I'm Yukimura Chizuru, I'm pleased to meet you." Chizuru bowed to her politely.
"I'm Ishikawa Kaiya, sorry that I didn't introduce myself earlier. I was actually the doctor for these bozos several months ago and I will be eventually returning to my duties." Kaiya smiled at Heisuke and Shinpachi.
"Bozo?" Shinpachi asked with a pouty face and at the same time Heisuke smiled and said "Really?!" with quite a bit of enthusiasm. Both Chizuru and Kaiya laughed at their response.
"Well, anyways. I'll put a pot of water on the stove and, while we wait, I'll find you something dry to wear!" Said Chizuru as she put a pot on and then she took Kaiya by the hand. "Heisuke-kun, could you take it off when it starts to whistle?"
"Sure thing!" Answered Heisuke brightly.
The two women left the kitchen and Chizuru led them back in the general direction that Shinpachi and Kaiya had come from but turned down another hallway instead of continuing down the hall to where Saitou's room was. Near the end of the hallway, they finally came to the door that Chizuru opened and went inside. Once inside Chizuru walked to a wardrobe and opened it up. Kaiya didn't know why she had one, because there was only one kimono in it.
"It's nothing fancy, but it should do until your clothing dry…although that may take some time in this weather."
Kaiya sighed. "Yah I'm done with this rain, especially after travelling in it."
Chizuru smiled as she pulled it out. "You can change in here; I better return to the kitchen before Heisuke-kun ruins lunch. I'll bring the hot water to Saitou-san's room."
"Thank you, Chizuru-chan." Kaiya said earnestly.
Chizuru nodded and left. Kaiya quickly changed her clothes, sighing at the feel of dry cloth against her skin. She then collected her wet clothes and brought them with her as she returned to Saitou's room, starting to feel concerned with having him out of her sight for longer than she'd like.
When she did return, she found him in the same condition not having moved a muscle. Kaiya had started going through the things she had brought a long when Chizuru knocked at the door. When she entered, she brought in a tea pot and a cup. She put the pot down by Saitou and looked down at him sadly.
"He's so pale. I haven't known Saitou-san long, but he seemed so indestructible. You know it was because of him that Hijikata-kun let me out."
Kaiya grabbed the container with the appropriated tea leaves and came and sat down beside Chizuru. She quickly made the tea and let it steep a little.
"You've known him longer than me, but I know Saitou-kun comes across as cruel and uncaring at times but in reality he's a very kind and considerate man."
"Are the two of you close?" Chizuru asked.
Kaiya smiled as she poured the tea. "Next Souji, I was probably closest to him. He was acting as my teacher in self defense before I left, I guess spending a lot of time with someone brings you closer."
"You seem close with everyone." Chizuru observed.
"Ha, yah. Saitou-kun once said that I was just one of those type of people that everybody likes and wants to be with. I guess the others agree with him. Souji said that your father is a doctor as well?" Kaiya asked trying to change the subject.
Chizuru nodded "Yes. He specialized in western medicine which I think is why they chose him to help."
"Did he teach you anything?"
"Well just in-patient care, he took care of everything else. I've been helping Yamazaki-san as I can with the more serious injuries."
"My father was a doctor as well, but he taught me all he knew but we were kept quite busy with all the farmers around where we used to live. He couldn't keep up by himself."
"Oh!" Chizuru suddenly got to her feet. "I better get back to the kitchen, just let me know if you need anything else!"
Kaiya chuckled. "I will, thank you."
Chizuru stopped by the door and looked back at Kaiya. "Will you be joining us for lunch?"
"No, but I may for supper if I feel comfortable enough leaving Saitou-kun." She looked down at him sadly.
"Then I will bring you your lunch here."
Kaiya smiled at Chizuru. "Thank you again."
Chizuru turned and left her alone with Saitou.
Almost halfway through my re-editing. I really am the master of procrastination...I did do some school work today...
-Shockra
